Southwest Desert

by JC Gonzo

“With an SX-70 Polaroid camera, I traveled through the Southwest photographing desert wildflowers in bloom, touching all three deserts – the Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan. I also photographed local gay boys, all born and raised in the Southwest. Through documenting both nature and people, I harmonize sexuality with the environment and celebrate the perseverance, pride, and reverence to both the human and botanical “anomalies” of the natural world. I show a parallel between to the scarcity of beauty, life, and vibrancy associated with desert ecology and queerness. Rarity itself can focus one’s perception of value, and desirable elements are deemed more precious. The use of instant film mirrors this concept through producing singular, non-replicable photo objects; aesthetically maximizing qualities inherent to the medium.”